With Airbag Thefts Still Up, Could A New Ordinance Curb The Black Market Sales Fueling Them?

Airbag thefts targeting Honda vehicles have surged in Avondale and the Northwest Side, with over 1,200 reported thefts from January to April 2026. Victims like Rebecca Lang and Jose Luis Arroyo face high repair costs and long wait times for rare airbag replacements. Ald. Gilbert Villegas proposes an ordinance to curb the black market trade of stolen airbags, which are sold for $3,000–$5,000.